That's what we got when we opened the front door on Saturday! We were expecting Ian and Gill (Dave's twin brother and wife) instead I found Amelia (our 8 month old grand-daughter ) in a baby car seat. I was silenced (for once) as I tried to process how she could possibly have arrived.
Steve had been out to Albania on holiday and flew back last Friday and Ruth had taken the opportunity to travel with him. This is a sacrifice for them as this is a manically busy time for them with the children's activities in Durres in full swing-which was another factor whizzing through my brain as I opened the door -There was no way that they could visit now! So Maki has been abandoned in Albania while we enjoy the company of his wife and daughter .
This also is another illustration of 'all things working together for good'. Last week we had been disappointed not to have completed the course of chemo but had Dave had his planned treatment he would undoubtedly be horizontal for the entire visit and feel cheated not to be in a state to enjoy it. A reminder, yet again, that we need to trust the One who can see the end from the beginning.
Dave is gradually gaining strength and we hope will reach the blood targets needed for the last chemo next Tues.(Ruth and Amelia return the following Friday).
During the last 6 months Dave has experienced phases of food cravings- sausage rolls, cheese biscuits, scotch eggs, omelettes - the latest is lemon meringue pie. I have joked that he must be pregnant. Please continue to pray with us that this waiting time will indeed produce new life.
Thank you for all your prayers, we do experience the benefit from being buoyed up by them.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Countdown on Pause
Today we were expecting to be the last chemo. Dave has been blessed at going through the 12 treatments with no hiccups until today. We arrived to find that yesterdays blood test was too low on the white cells to go ahead .This was a bit of an anti climax so we took a trip to the Chew Valley Lake in brilliant sunshine and had a gentle walk followed by lunch.
Although it was initially disappointing not to have completed the course it does mean that Dave now has the potential for 2 fairly recuperative weeks.The later chemos have not really allowed Dave to come up for air before being slugged again.
The title of the blog is also reference to the surprise disc the kids had obtained for Dave (for Father's Day) from Yorkshire TV of 2 Countdown episodes in which he took part in 1982/3. A spritely 31 year old - no grey hair! Very novel viewing - thanks guys. Elaine
And on reviewing, I managed to improve my score on two rounds, so some brain cells must still be working!? Dave
Although it was initially disappointing not to have completed the course it does mean that Dave now has the potential for 2 fairly recuperative weeks.The later chemos have not really allowed Dave to come up for air before being slugged again.
The title of the blog is also reference to the surprise disc the kids had obtained for Dave (for Father's Day) from Yorkshire TV of 2 Countdown episodes in which he took part in 1982/3. A spritely 31 year old - no grey hair! Very novel viewing - thanks guys. Elaine
And on reviewing, I managed to improve my score on two rounds, so some brain cells must still be working!? Dave
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Kili 10 Chemo 11
This is a first as this is Elaine writing.
Today was the eleventh chemo -only one more after today! Again we thank God for Dave being fit enough and his blood up to taking todays treatment. However Dave returned tired and a bit queasy so resting tonight.
This week-end was the tenth anniversary of the Saltmine sponsored climb of Kimanjaro which Dave took part in. It was agreed that the reunion would take place on the summit of Y Garn in Snowdonia at 1pm on the 6 June. To reach the summit was not going to be possible but we did make the Llyn about a mile up the track! The weather promptly closed in and we were glad to get down and back to our b and b to change and dry.
It was good to meet up with other team members and the success of the w/e was marked by talk of meeting again next year.
Sunday saw us in a Baptist church in Bangor only to see a familiar name from our distant student days -Peter Cousins as minister.
Then our reunion week end was completed by a slight detour to Liverpool to meet up with Nic and Jen Harding. The years slip away and it was great to renew friendship.
So a busy time and now back to quieter times.
We covet your prayers to finish the course of chemo well. As time has gone by it has become progressively more difficult with Dave fairly blotto most of the time but we are thankful for the absence of many of the possible chemo side effects.
Please do keep in touch with added comments.Thank you all -we need you.
Today was the eleventh chemo -only one more after today! Again we thank God for Dave being fit enough and his blood up to taking todays treatment. However Dave returned tired and a bit queasy so resting tonight.
This week-end was the tenth anniversary of the Saltmine sponsored climb of Kimanjaro which Dave took part in. It was agreed that the reunion would take place on the summit of Y Garn in Snowdonia at 1pm on the 6 June. To reach the summit was not going to be possible but we did make the Llyn about a mile up the track! The weather promptly closed in and we were glad to get down and back to our b and b to change and dry.
It was good to meet up with other team members and the success of the w/e was marked by talk of meeting again next year.
Sunday saw us in a Baptist church in Bangor only to see a familiar name from our distant student days -Peter Cousins as minister.
Then our reunion week end was completed by a slight detour to Liverpool to meet up with Nic and Jen Harding. The years slip away and it was great to renew friendship.
So a busy time and now back to quieter times.
We covet your prayers to finish the course of chemo well. As time has gone by it has become progressively more difficult with Dave fairly blotto most of the time but we are thankful for the absence of many of the possible chemo side effects.
Please do keep in touch with added comments.Thank you all -we need you.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Brief Note
Round 10 began yesterday, and the thought of just two to go after this is encouraging. Elaine is at work today, and at 3.30pm I'm typing this on the way to my morning shower and shave!!
Blessed to receive two phone calls today, from one friend coming Friday to tackle our garden hedge, and another coming Saturday to finish off the shower that Besmir got to 90% in March, but has remained untouched ever since. I not only lack the physical energy to do such things, even the mental energy to think about them is hard to come by.
Besi is not praying for showers at the moment, as he has taken the roof off his parents house in order to lay a slab for a second storey. I'm concerned that on the BBC weather report today Albania appeared to have precipitation due for Thursday, following days of hot dry weather. Pray that such will bypass them. Bye for now
Blessed to receive two phone calls today, from one friend coming Friday to tackle our garden hedge, and another coming Saturday to finish off the shower that Besmir got to 90% in March, but has remained untouched ever since. I not only lack the physical energy to do such things, even the mental energy to think about them is hard to come by.
Besi is not praying for showers at the moment, as he has taken the roof off his parents house in order to lay a slab for a second storey. I'm concerned that on the BBC weather report today Albania appeared to have precipitation due for Thursday, following days of hot dry weather. Pray that such will bypass them. Bye for now
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Round 9
5 hours at the hospital today, now back home. Time I did a brief update - Elaine is mowing the lawn - another of my roles that she has had to inherit. Since last writing, have spent one week-end in a caravan on the Gower, and a week-end in Worthing with Stephen. Strange to be on the Gower but only manage 300 yards of walking in four days - most of the time I spent horizontal, but with wonderful views over Oxwich Bay. Elaine did a two hour headland walk one day, but otherwise we just enjoyed the rest, and change of four walls. (Not forgetting the snooker)
Good to spend a couple of days with Steve in Worthing, and meet the NFI church of which he is part. My tiredness still a limiting factor even at the end of week two of the cycle, but I did do some of the driving - I'm not a good passenger although it has become increasingly my role!!
Between the two week-ends, made trip to Bristol Dental Hospital for removal of dead tooth - although it clung on like it was designed to stay there for life! Still downing the paracetemol, and occasionally harder stuff, to deaden the ongoing ache of bones healing - but thankfully no infections despite decision to forego the standard prescription of antibiotics in the interest of bowel security.
Have obtained Doctor's note to release me from work commitments for the next two months until chemo is finished - and today we've booked a week in Austria for early August (good old Tesco points!) - a fly and coach deal that will give us daily trips to scenic heights - no walking envisaged! - just relaxation in beautiful scenery - we drove though the area last year in the minibus. So that catches you up - no deep thoughts this time, just deep thanks.
Good to spend a couple of days with Steve in Worthing, and meet the NFI church of which he is part. My tiredness still a limiting factor even at the end of week two of the cycle, but I did do some of the driving - I'm not a good passenger although it has become increasingly my role!!
Between the two week-ends, made trip to Bristol Dental Hospital for removal of dead tooth - although it clung on like it was designed to stay there for life! Still downing the paracetemol, and occasionally harder stuff, to deaden the ongoing ache of bones healing - but thankfully no infections despite decision to forego the standard prescription of antibiotics in the interest of bowel security.
Have obtained Doctor's note to release me from work commitments for the next two months until chemo is finished - and today we've booked a week in Austria for early August (good old Tesco points!) - a fly and coach deal that will give us daily trips to scenic heights - no walking envisaged! - just relaxation in beautiful scenery - we drove though the area last year in the minibus. So that catches you up - no deep thoughts this time, just deep thanks.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Shadow of the Almighty
The title of Jim Elliot's biography from which I have quoted in the right margin (and read at least 3 times in my teens), the words taken from Psalm 91 v 1.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty"
Mike McAllister read that Psalm to me shortly after I was first diagnosed with cancer, and it resonated in particular because of that opening verse.
During this past week of prayer, Sue Woolnough drew the same Psalm to my attention, but quoting it's final 3 verses in particular. The final verse reads
"With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation"
As I said to those gathered for prayer on Sunday evening, my attitude through all this time has been; 'Lord, I look back over a fulfilled and satisfying life, if you take me now, I have no regrets, no unfulfilled dreams'. But that verse has said something more to me - that God's idea of satisfaction is long life, and I should not downgrade my expectations.
And I guess that's how Elaine and I look back on last week. With a sense of the continued hand of God upon our lives, with personal touches that spoke of his intricate care and blessing. With thankfulness for friends who have drawn near to God's throne on our behalf. With a sense that this was a significant stepping stone on our journey.
Today was chemo round 8, my blood count apparently good, but I have begun to have numbness in my feet and legs over the past few days which is a chemo side effect. Also the tiredness extended right through to yesterday, bringing much closer the day when I say to Bristol City Council. "you'll have to do without my services until chemo finishes at the end of June." We enjoyed a day together in the Cotswolds last Friday, and Elaine has next week off, so we hope to get away for a few days, not least to visit Stephen in Worthing, to see his new flat, and meet the church which has become his true home. The large pituitary tumour with which he was diagnosed a year ago has shrunk significantly in response to weekly tablets, but the sight deterioration in one eye caused by the crushing of the optic nerve has yet to really reverse. Do pray for restoration there.
Our love to you.
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty"
Mike McAllister read that Psalm to me shortly after I was first diagnosed with cancer, and it resonated in particular because of that opening verse.
During this past week of prayer, Sue Woolnough drew the same Psalm to my attention, but quoting it's final 3 verses in particular. The final verse reads
"With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation"
As I said to those gathered for prayer on Sunday evening, my attitude through all this time has been; 'Lord, I look back over a fulfilled and satisfying life, if you take me now, I have no regrets, no unfulfilled dreams'. But that verse has said something more to me - that God's idea of satisfaction is long life, and I should not downgrade my expectations.
And I guess that's how Elaine and I look back on last week. With a sense of the continued hand of God upon our lives, with personal touches that spoke of his intricate care and blessing. With thankfulness for friends who have drawn near to God's throne on our behalf. With a sense that this was a significant stepping stone on our journey.
Today was chemo round 8, my blood count apparently good, but I have begun to have numbness in my feet and legs over the past few days which is a chemo side effect. Also the tiredness extended right through to yesterday, bringing much closer the day when I say to Bristol City Council. "you'll have to do without my services until chemo finishes at the end of June." We enjoyed a day together in the Cotswolds last Friday, and Elaine has next week off, so we hope to get away for a few days, not least to visit Stephen in Worthing, to see his new flat, and meet the church which has become his true home. The large pituitary tumour with which he was diagnosed a year ago has shrunk significantly in response to weekly tablets, but the sight deterioration in one eye caused by the crushing of the optic nerve has yet to really reverse. Do pray for restoration there.
Our love to you.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Pushing through
Two stories have constrasted in my mind in recent weeks. Lying down exhausted brings to mind the four men who brought their paralysed friend to Jesus. He apparently helpless, lying on his mat, while they took off the roof-tiles in order to place their friend at Jesus' feet. They pushed through the roof, they pushed past the religious leaders gathered around Jesus, and Jesus "when he saw their faith" brought forgiveness and healing to their friend. (Luke 5)
Contrast the woman of Luke 8, again chronically ill for the past 12 years. She came to find Jesus, but found him surrounded by a crowd, and clearly on his way with a religious leader (Jairus) to a specific destination. But she pressed through despite it all to be at his feet, and touch the hem of his garment. Her reward, "Woman, your faith has made you well, go in peace."
These stories maybe summarise for me what this next week of prayer is about - it is about pushing through to Jesus' feet. Whether you do it for yourself, or a friend. It is about saying that I will not be held back by the obstacles of crowd (busyness) or roof-tiles (previous barriers), but I will push through in order to see life change. I do not know what that looks like (sorry Geraldine!!), but pray that as we make ourselves available to God, he will reveal his ways to us both individually and collectively.
Chemo 7 took place Wednesday, so coming week potentially one of tiredness. Toothache thankfully ceased, and jabs gradually dealing with the breathlessness. It's also "final accounts" week at work, but things currently on track. We'll probably start the week in Fleet helping to sort Elaine's Dad's affairs and effects. Our love and thanks again to all.
Contrast the woman of Luke 8, again chronically ill for the past 12 years. She came to find Jesus, but found him surrounded by a crowd, and clearly on his way with a religious leader (Jairus) to a specific destination. But she pressed through despite it all to be at his feet, and touch the hem of his garment. Her reward, "Woman, your faith has made you well, go in peace."
These stories maybe summarise for me what this next week of prayer is about - it is about pushing through to Jesus' feet. Whether you do it for yourself, or a friend. It is about saying that I will not be held back by the obstacles of crowd (busyness) or roof-tiles (previous barriers), but I will push through in order to see life change. I do not know what that looks like (sorry Geraldine!!), but pray that as we make ourselves available to God, he will reveal his ways to us both individually and collectively.
Chemo 7 took place Wednesday, so coming week potentially one of tiredness. Toothache thankfully ceased, and jabs gradually dealing with the breathlessness. It's also "final accounts" week at work, but things currently on track. We'll probably start the week in Fleet helping to sort Elaine's Dad's affairs and effects. Our love and thanks again to all.
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